Jason Donnelly named Furman Athletics Director

Dear Furman Community,

I am pleased to announce that Jason Donnelly, senior associate athletics director and executive director of athletics development at Villanova University, will join the university as athletics director. He will begin his role at Furman on Aug. 12.

Jason is a highly successful administrator and fundraiser who demonstrates a key understanding of the important role that athletics plays in higher education.

At Villanova, Jason has been responsible for leading the Villanova Athletics Fund, which manages fundraising and external support for all 24 varsity sports. He helped raise more than $120 million for Villanova athletics during the past four years, which includes three consecutive record-breaking fundraising years and a 330% increase in dollars raised.

Previously, Jason served as Villanova’s assistant men’s basketball coach and director of basketball operations. He later became special assistant to head coach Jay Wright and was a key contributor to Villanova’s recent basketball success, including the Wildcats’ NCAA Division I national championship wins in 2016 and 2018. Jason also served as director of athletics development before assuming his present position.

I want to thank Furman Board Chair Alec Taylor and Faculty Athletics Representative Danielle Vinson for assisting me with this search. We are excited that Jason is joining the Furman community, and we look forward to the vision and energy he will bring to the university. We will soon announce plans for an event where the campus community can meet Jason.

Please see our news story for more information.

Warmly,

Elizabeth